Speed boat construction



May 10, 1932.

B. R. BATTY 1,858,030

SPEED BOAT CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 31, 1930 INVENTOR. jaw/120 Kim-r)? ATTORNEYS.

May 10, 1932. 7 BATTY 1,858,030

SPEED BOAT CONSTRUCTION Filed May 51, 1930 a Sheets-Sheet 2 I IN VEN TOR. 1 .BfK/V/IKD 7?. Barr).

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May 10, 1932. B. R. BATTY 1,858,030

SPEED BOAT CONSTRUCTION Filed May 31, 1930 $5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

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Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE BERNARD R. BATTY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, iNDI ANA, ASSIGNOB To EARL M. HICKS, OF

LEBANON,

INDIANA SPEED BOAT cons'muo'rroiv Application filed na 'si,

This application is a continuation in part of my copending' application Serial No. 33,011, filed October 11, 1929, entitled Boat bow.

The present invention is concerned with racing boats adapted to be driven by what is known as a so-called outboard motor. These boats are relatively shallow, of slight draft, not much larger than the usual row boat, and relatively light in weight. They are very fast and the dual problem of getting the boat out of the water andon to the surface thereof in a relatively shorter period of time than heretofore has been possible and of reducing the wind resistance when out of the water by suitable streamlining of the boat, is solved by this invention.

One chief feature of the present invention disclosed in the copending application referred to, is the stream-line of the forward and upward portion of the boat so that wind resistance thereto is reduced to a minimum.

A second feature of the invention consists in the float type combination stabilizer and buoyant member, which in itself is streamlined to reduce wind resistance to a minimum and further fashioned to rapidly shed water and to quickly elevate the stern into planing position.

A third feature of the invention consists in the formation of a forward passenger or baggage receiving compartment by maln'ng a portion of the cowl detachable whereby a dual purpose boat is obtained and which is readily adapted for racing or for pleasure or utility.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a boat embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view although substantially a side elevation of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a frontviewof the boat.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the same and substantially in side elevation.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on the 1930. Serial Iva-158,254.

plane of the line the arrows. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of. one rear corner of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a dual purpose boat embodying the invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of thesame and substantially in side elevation.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the cowl and boat bow taken on line 101O of Fig. 8and in the direction of the arrows.

The chief distinction of the present invention, which reduces wind resistance to a minimum, consists in the peculiar construction of the cowl which, instead of being outwardly convex at substantially all points, is outwardly concave at the front and sides, as shown respectively, in Figs. 2 and 3, of the modification shown inFigs. 1 to 3 inclusive. The cowl is convex only at and near the middle and rear end and its convex portion is raised to serve as a protection for the occupant of the boat.

In the drawings 10 indicates the hull portion of the boat which includesa bottom and the substantially vertical sides 11. The bottom portion of the boat is flared upwardly at its forward end as indicated at 12. The bottom includes a step portion 13 intermediate the ends'of the boatand which extends transversely across the boat This step enables the boat to plane over the surface of' the water. The interior construction of the hull may be of the usual or conventional construction. The cock pit includes a side wall 16, the front dash portion 20 and the back 21. The ower for propelling the boat is an engine liot shown) and suitably attached to the rearend of the boat and generally is of the out-board motor type.

The co'wl17 extends rearwardly from the bow of the boat to approximately the front end of the'cockpit, as defined by the dash 20. At its rear central'portion this cowl 17 is of a height suflicient to protect the occupant. This is substantially the highest point of the cowl and immediately rearward thereof, is the wheel 22 for steering purposes. From this highest point" the cowl slopes downwardly, both laterally and forwardly, to the 100 6-6 and in the direction of top edges of the sides 11 to the bow. This slope is not a straight-line slope, the cowl being convex outwardly at and near its highest point and concave outwardly near the top edges of the boat sides 11 and near the bow as is clear from Figs. 2 and 3. The upper surface of the cowl near its side edges lies below a line extending between the highest point of the cowl and the top of the adjacent boatside. Thisis also true, although to a less extent, at and near the bow of the boat.

The cowl 17 may be formed, in the conformation above set forth, in any convenient desirable manner and if. desired the dash member 20 may, and preferably is, extended from-one boat side to the other. The dash member 20, although not shownv separately isof arch formation. In addition to the reduction in wind resistance obtained by the'peculiar conformation of the cowl, the aforesaid peculiar. conformation also increases the boats stability. The deck 25' extends around the open cockpit and merges with the cowl in substantially the plane indicated by the sash member 20.

In Figs. at to 7 inclusive, is illustrated a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention, similar parts are indicated by numerals of the one hundred series; thus, 112 indicates the bottom of the boat which is flared upwardly to the medium line between the deck and cowl and'hull, 110 indicates the hull, 113 the step arrangement which herein is shown offset forwardly and 111 indicates the side.

In this form of the invention the two reverse curvatures. of the cowl 117 in transverse relation, are offset as indicated at 130, which offset is continued 'rearwardly and forms the sides 116- of the cockpit. The upper and moreelevated and convex portion of the cowl is'indicated by the numeral 117a and the lower concave portion is indicated by the numeral 117?). The steering wheel is indicated by thenuineral 122-and the back of the boat by the numeral 121. The deck 125 merges with the cowl portion 117 b and has substantially the same conformation as shown clearly in Fig.7. The same description and advantages set forth relative to the modification shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, apply to the modification shown .in Figs. 4 to. 7 inclusive.

In this form of the invention there is provided substantially pyramidal floats having the lowerstabilizing surface 124, the Water shedding upper surface 123 and a surface indicated as at 140, which is secured to the boat side 111. The outer edge 14:1 inclines upwardly and inwardly toward the. boatbow. This construction is of a float: character. WVhile the boat is stationary, it holds the stern of the boat in a position of less submergence than the form shown in Fig. 1. In starting, therefore, a, secondor two ad- Vantage is obtained in getting the boat into surface gliding position, where the speed is greatest. The shape of the float is such that it rapidly sheds the water rearwardly, outwardly and downwardly. The shape of the edge 14:1 and the position thereof is such that it will cut the water with a minimum of resistance. It will pass through the water in an upward direction and attempt to lift the stern outof the water as the boatproceedstherethrough. The shape of the stabilizing float is such that it will readily ride upon the surface of the water with a minimum of drag at any depth of submergence. Likewise, the exposed surface of the float is such that the exposed portion out of the water offers a minimum resistance to passage through the air and hence minimum air resistance.

Boats equipped with the aforesaid cowl and the aforesaid float type stabilizer obtain speeds greater than fifty miles per hour with the usual out-board motors and have greater acceleration in starting than prior boats.

In Figs. 8 to 10 inclusive a further modified form of boat is illustrated. 210 indicates the hull and 225 the deck which mergeswith the lower portion 217?) of the cowl. The bottom 212 is offset and recessed at 213 and the sides 211 with the back 221 complete the hull- The cockpit is defined by the portion. 216. Adjacent the rear and at each side is secured a stabilizing float having faces 223, 224 and 2&0 with a cutting edge 24:1.

In this form of the invention the cowl, which is offset between top and bottom as at 230, includes a removable portion herein indicated by' numeral 217 The forward portion of cowl provides a baggage chamber a passenger compartment which for raining purposes can be completely covered as illustrated or which can be opened, permitting use of the seat and back cushion rests 250 and'251 respectively.

Insmall size boats forward portion 217 and 217 are aunit and removable as such. in the largest sizes only portion 217' is made removable, while in intermediate sizes both portions 217 and 217 can be removed. The removable cowl is securely attached to the lower cowl portion by suitable anchorages such as bolts 252 and wing nuts 253. The shape of the cowl is as previously specified for the two preceding forms of the invention. Since the bowrides outof the water, the boat will not ship water so no further provision need be made therefore.

The invention claimed is 1. In a speed boat the combination of a buoyant stabilizer having one side substantially conforming' to the boat side and suitably secured thereto, another side forming an upper surface and having a downward inclination from the'boat side and pitched upwardly toward the bow of the boat, and a lower surface having an upward inclination and inclined upward and outwardly from the boat side.

2. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the upper surface of said cowl for a material distance inward from the sides and rearward from the bow lying below straight lines extending from the highest point of the raised portion to the up per edge of the sides and bow, the bottom including an offset step, and an upwardly and forwardly directed stabilizing vane at each side and having an outwardly and upwardly directed undersurface extending from adjacent the stern and terminat'ng adjacent the step portion.

3. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopesforwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the upper surface of said cowl for a material distance inward from the sides lying below straight lines extending from the highest point of the raised portion to the upper edge of the sides, the bottom including an offset step, and-an upwardly and forwardly directed stabilizing vane at each side and having an outwardly and upwardly directed undersurface extending from adj acent the stern and terminating adjacent the step portion.

4. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the cowl being outwardly convex at said raised portion and outwardly concave near the sides and bow, the convex and concave surfaces between the sides and the top of the cowl including a downwardly and outwardly inclined offset junction.

5. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the cowl being outwardly convex at said raised portion and outwardly concave near the sides an bow, the convex and concave surfaces between the sides and the top of the cowl including a downwardly and outwardly inclined offset junction, said offset portions being extended forwardly toward the bow and meeting there at and extending rearwardly and forn'iing a portion of the cockpit defining wall.

6. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its'rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly andlaterally to the bow and sides, the cowl being outwardly convex at said raised portion and outwardly concave near the sides and bow, and a buoyant and stabilizing vane at each side'and secured to the same adjacent the rear portion thereof extending from the stern toward the bow and having an upward inclination toward the bowand with its bottom surface having an upward and outward inclination.

7. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the cowl being outwardly convex at said raised portion and outwardly concave near the sides and bow, and a buoyant stabilizing vane at each side and secured to the same, adjacent the rear portion thereof and extending from the stern toward the bow and having an upward inclination toward the bow and its bottom surface having an upward and outward inclination, the upper surface having a downward and outward inclination.

8. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the cowl being outwardly. convex at said raised portion and outwardly concave near the sides and bow, and a buoyant stabilizing vane at each side and secured to the same adjacent the rear portion thereof and extending from the stern toward the bow and having an upward inclination toward the bow and its bottom surface having an upward and outward inclination, the 'upper surface having a downward and outward inclination, the two surfacesmerging in substantially a line edge which is directed inwardly and upwardlyfromthe stern toward the bow.

9. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised'portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the cowl being outwardly convex at said raised portion and outwardly concave near the sides and bow, and a buoyant stabilizing vane at each side and secured to the same adjacent the rear portion thereof and extending from the stern toward the bow and having an upward inclination toward the bow and its bottom surface having an upward and outward inclination, the upper surface having a downward and outward inclination the two surfaces merging in substantially a line edge which is directed inwardly andupwardly from the stern toward the bow, and terminating in substantial point contact with the side.

10. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl eX- tending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the cowl being outwardly convex at said raised portion and outwardly concave near the sides and bow, the cowl including a central removable portion, and means for detachably securing the removable portion to the stationary portion of the cowl, the cowl portion when removed forming a multiple compartment boat of the character desired.

11. In a speed boat the combination of a 1 buoyant stabilizer having one side substantially conforming to the boat side and suitably secured thereto, another side formingan upper surface having a downward inclina tion from the boat side and pitched upwardly toward the bow of the boat, and another side forming a-lower surface having an upward inclination and inclined upwardly and outwardly from the boat side, the boat having a multiple section cowl and an open rear cockpit, one section of the cowl being detachable and removable for multi-compartment boat formation.

12. In a boat having a cockpit, a cowl extending rearwardly from the bow to a point adjacent the cockpit, said cowl having near its rear end a central raised portion from which the cowl slopes forwardly and laterally to the bow and sides, the cowl being out wardly convex at said raised portion and outwardly concave near the sides and bow, the convex and concave surfaces between the sides and the top of the cowl, including a downwardly and outwardly inclined offset junction, said ofiset portionsbeing extended forwardly toward the bow and meeting there at and'extending rearwardly and forming a portion of the cockpit defining wall, the cowl portion included between the offset portions of the cowl being parted and a'portion readily removable, and means for detachably securing the removable cowl portion to the remainder thereof.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature BERNARD R. BATTY. 

